Has the NZ public service become too bloated?

Treasury boss John Whitehead has warned public sector heads if they do not face up to a "fundamental rethink" to trim fat out of their departments, they will have change forced upon them.

In a speech to government department chief executives in Wellington yesterday, Treasury Secretary Mr Whitehead said the public service needed to move out of its traditional comfort zone and take some risks to ensure it delivered services as cost-effectively as possible.